The plans represent the culmination of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process; a two-year effort that was designed to ensure long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the US presence in Europe, officials said.
The consolidation incorporates the return of 15 sites to their host nations, part of US European Command's continued effort to remove non-enduring sites from its real-property inventory and allow more resources to be focused on other Eucom mission requirements.
“In the end, this transformation of our infrastructure will help maximize our military capabilities in Europe and help strengthen our important European partnerships so that we can best support our NATO allies and partners in the region,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
Hagel discussed the decisions with his counterparts in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Portugal -- the four countries affected most by the actions.
Following are some of the Pentagon's planned cuts:
- Divest Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall northeast of London and return the installation and supporting sites to the British government. The refueling and special operations aircraft at the base would be moved to Germany. The air reconnaissance squadron would be shifted elsewhere in Britain. The 3,200 U.S. military personnel would be removed along with their families.
- Divest RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth, where various U.S. support units are located, and return them to the British government. Most personnel from these bases would be transferred to RAF Croughton, a major communications station.
- Close a number of support facilities in Germany and return the sites to the government. Closures include Barton Barracks, home to offices of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools, which will be relocated to Sembach; Weilimdorf Warehouse Site; Pfeffelbach Waterworks and Hoppstaedten Waterworks in Baumholder; Mainz Kastel Storage Station and the Amelia Earhart Hotel at the U.S. Army Garrison at Wiesbaden.
- Close commissaries at Illeshim and Sembach in Germany as well as four in the Stuttgart area.
- Partially close Camp Darby near Livorno in Italy and return part to Italy.
- Reduce operations and property at Lajes Field in the Azores, including cutting the number of personnel and contract providers by two-thirds. Return a number of buildings at Lajes to the Portuguese government.
